The Reluctant Viscount. Lara Temple

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      Adam felt an uncharacteristic flush rise to his face. He almost told Jem not to count on him too much, but kept his peace.

      ‘Not my favourite image either, Jem. Let’s keep this between us for now. I need to think. And if you think of anything, let me know. Come on, Nick.’

      Nicholas nodded and followed Adam out of the stables. Once out in the open and away from the building, Adam glanced at his friend.

      ‘You have been unusually quiet, Nick. Impressed by the Delacort Curse?’

      His friend’s ready grin appeared.

      ‘Hardly. I’m no more inclined to the supernatural than you, Adam. I’m just trying to reconcile this...prank, as you call it, with your very foppish cousin.’

      ‘Not an easy thing to do. I was wondering the same. Somehow I find it hard to imagine Percy scrambling around the forest setting traps. And even though Ivor was unlucky enough to be killed when he was thrown, Percy was raised in the country and he should know the chance of that happening again is pretty slim. Most people don’t break their necks being thrown from a horse. At best he might have hoped I would break a limb or be knocked unconscious. Just petty revenge for cutting him off?’

      Nicholas shrugged.

      ‘Stranger things have happened. You should keep your eyes open. What was that Jem said about Miss Drake?’

      Adam grimaced. For some reason he did not want to discuss her part in what had happened.

      ‘She came across me just after the fall. She found the rope.’

      ‘What was she doing out near the Rise?’

      Adam pulled the silk pouch out of his pocket.

      ‘She came to acknowledge but return my apology.’

      Nicholas took the pouch and emptied the coin into his palm. His brows rose.

      ‘No wonder. It’s just a tarnished old coin with some scribbles on it. You’re slipping, Adam. That’s what I call adding insult to injury.’

      Adam took back the coin and pouch, shaking his head.

      ‘What a waste of two years at Oxford, Nick. At least Miss Drake recognised its value. Which was precisely why she returned it.’

      ‘A young lady of strict principles. Not your type. Pity.’

      ‘Hardly. Since I have no intention of staying here for more than another week, a flirtation would have been impractical even if she was interested.’

      Nicholas raised his brows again.

      ‘Implying you are?’

      Adam remembered the heat that had flowed through him when he had taken her arm. He wondered if it was in part because she insisted on not taking him seriously. He was not used to young women treating him with quite that combination of scolding amusement.

      ‘Being treated like a schoolboy puts me on my mettle.’

      Nicholas laughed. ‘What a masterly tactic on her part. Are you sure she isn’t just playing a deep game?’

      ‘No such luck. She’s no actress, just outspoken.’ He changed the subject. ‘Did you bring your dancing gear?’

      ‘Of course. I have to have it on hand when I continue to the family pile in Berkshire. Why?’

      ‘We are going to an Assembly on Thursday. Everyone who is anyone in Mowbray will be there. Percy certainly. And Ginnie.’

      ‘She agreed? And Derek will let her come?’

      ‘I received her letter this morning. She said Derek and the boys will have to survive without her for a week and she will be up by chaise tomorrow. She’ll stay at the Fulton Hotel near the Pump Rooms. Apparently she spent the last two days buying clothes and I had my secretary in London supply her with some very expensive baubles so she can make a grand entrance at the Assembly.’

      ‘Good old Ginnie. She will enjoy being back on the stage, so to speak. Do you think Percy will take the bait?’

      ‘Hopefully it will keep him occupied and away from both Miss Drake’s cousin and from me.’

      Nicholas laughed and rubbed his hands together cheerfully. ‘And I thought I was going to be bored to tears out here in the country. Next we will be attending Public Teas and playing whist with the dowagers. This is shaping up to be a fine holiday.’

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